Bradford, Pennsylvania -- When Josh Preston started running, it was simply a way to stay in shape.

But, by getting out of the house, and into the woods near his home in northern Pennsylvania, he found the region had a lot to offer.

"I didn't even realize there was something like this just 10 minutes from my house, and how beautiful some of these areas are," he said.

Now, Preston is getting the word out — organizing a half-marathon on the trails that first got him into the sport of running.

The inaugural Marilla Trail Race will take runners on the fringe of the Allegheny National Forest, on old logging roads and single-track trails cutting through the dense canopy of woods. It's one of dozens of endurance events happening throughout the Pennsylvania Wilds region, a 12-county area that dominates the state's northern half.

For adrenaline-seeking weekend warriors, the Pennsylvania Wilds region is the perfect place to challenge the legs, and spirit.

Woods, and plenty of solitude, abound in this rugged region of steep mountains and river valleys. The Pennsylvania Wilds region is replete with outdoor recreation, including state parks and forests, along with the 517,000-acre Allegheny National Forest.

The seemingly unbroken forests are open — in many cases to public recreation. And while the terrain can be unforgiving, including steep inclines and ankle-biting boulders — the places to run and bike are nearly limitless.

So it's no surprise that endurance events, and the amount of runners seeking a personal challenge, are increasing.

"We are such a strong community here," said Joel Heasley, a race organizer with the Mid-Penn Trailblazers. "Some of our running groups are 60, or 70 miles apart, but we come to support each other. It's the love of the trails, and wanting to get people involved."

In the past decade, the number of runners participating in events, or simply out for training runs, has exploded, said Travis Twoey, president of the Tyoga Running Club, who organizes endurance events outside Wellsboro.

In 2012, when Twoey and other runners decided to host the Green Monster Trail Challenge, they had 150 people show up. The turnout doubled the next year, and Twoey and others have every expectation that it will only continue to grow.

The reason? Trail runners in Pennsylvania have countless options for places to go, and the accessibility of the region is becoming known in running communities across the northeast, Twoey said.

"We have one of the best places in Pennsylvania to play outside," he said. "It's in our backyard. We had a few good ideas for events, and we just went with it."

The Pennsylvania Wilds region has more than 2 million acres of public land. It's an area of isolation, and scenic terrain. Here, the Allegheny Mountains fold up in tight ridges and deep cut valleys.

Within the region, visitors can take advantage of 29 state parks, eight state forests and the Allegheny National Forest. Most state parks and forests in the region have a network of trails. There's no admission fee for day use of state parks or forests.

"The calling card of Pennsylvania Wilds is outdoor recreation," said Tataboline Enos, small business ombudsman for the Pa Wilds Resource Center in Sugar Grove, Pa. "This region is known for its public lands. Events like this showcase what we are known for best."

Endurance events and other planned runs can be a great introduction for newcomers to the area, Enos said. The Pennsylvania Wilds region is large, and remote, which can be daunting to some tourists, she said. An organized run directs visitors to a particular community, and the amenities there.

"Aside from connecting visitors to our natural assets, it helps them connect with the hospitality of the Pennsylvania Wilds," she said. "These are small, rural communities. We are known for our small towns and rural charm."

What runners from outside the region will also find is an athletic community eager to show off its natural assets, Heasley said.

"There are people here who would love to meet anyone from out of town and take them for a run," he said. "We love our trails and getting people involved."

It's tough to quantify an economic impact that the growth of outdoor recreation —particularly trail running — is having on the region, Enos said. But there's no question that communities hosting events are seeing sustained economic activity, she said. Racers will come in for an event, and later bring family for vacation.

"As nature tourism has taken off, more communities see the economic power behind holding these events," she said.

For Preston, he's found that people from around the country are noticing what the region has to offer, and are willing to travel for events.

"We have people coming from Seattle, Cincinnati and Toledo," he said. "This run will bring in people to the community. We want to build it up — starting small and getting bigger."

The Races

To the novice runner, the thought of running 100 miles over two days borders on insanity, or masochism.

For endurance athletes, who feel that pain is part of the training regime, running the distance between Cleveland and Toledo seems perfectly reasonable.

This summer and fall, a number of endurance events are happening throughout the Pennsylvania Wilds. Some fall under the more tame variety, including 5Ks and half marathons.

Then, there's a 50-kilometer race up mountains, across streams and through serpentine valleys.

Let's be clear. Some of these races are not for the faint of heart, or the unseasoned legs.

But, for that unique brand of runner who feels a marathon is just not enough of a challenge, here's a look at some of the upcoming events:

Sproul 10K, July 19: Feel like running uphill? Then try the Sproul 10K (also known as the Hyner View Trail Challenge), with 3 miles of stiff uphill, and a fast 3.7 miles downhill to complete the race.

The race is held in the Sproul State Forest near Hyner. From the mountaintop, there are unbroken vistas of the surrounding forests and the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.

So just how steep is the uphill? They launch hang gliders off the top of the mountain ridge where runners will have to summit.

Pine Creek Challenge, Sept. 6-7: This one is flat, run on the bed of an old railroad grade, along the banks of the beautiful Pine Creek, which helped carve the "Pennsylvania Grand Canyon." The challenge? The race offers distances of 63 miles or 100 miles.

"The Pine Creek Challenge is a very entry level event for distance runners," Twoey said.

Dam Half/Dam Full, Sept. 14: Runners have the option of a half or full marathon through the Bald Eagle State Forest. There's a boulder field to contend with, along with some single track and downed trees and mud hopping. But it also offers the best of what Pennsylvania has to offer in terms of scenic beauty.

Marilla Trail Race, Oct. 11: It's a first-time event, but generating interest from around the country. The race will meander through the thick woods around the Marilla Reservoir, on mostly old fire roads and single track. Be prepared for big rolling hills and tough elevation changes. The race is being held during the peak of fall foliage season, so take in the scenery while punishing your legs.

Green Monster Trail Challenge, Oct. 12: Cutting through the Tioga State forest, this race offers runners either 25K or 50K distances. There's nothing flat about this race, which draws runners and hikers alike. The 50K race has 8,000 feet of elevation change — typical of the rolling topography of northern Pennsylvania.

After the Race

All told, there's about a million people living in the Pennsylvania Wilds. So it's no surprise the region is dotted with small towns. More than a few have the post-race amenities a weekend warrior needs to refuel, and wind down.

In St. Marys, smack dab in the middle of Elk County, the Straub Brewery has been blending barley and hops since the late 1800s.

For the vine lovers, there's an aptly named Groundhog Wine trail with an epicenter on Punxsutawney, with its famed weather prognosticator.

Lock Haven, home of Lock Haven University, is a college town — with the usual amenities. In town, you'll find the Piper Museum, home to the iconic aircraft. And a short trip out of town will take you to Woolrich, a small town home to the renowned clothing company. Visit the flagship store that's been home to the red and plaid since the 1830s.

Home to the "Grand Canyon of the East," Wellsboro defines quaint, with gaslight street lamps and boutique shops on the main street. Situated on the idyllic Route 6, Wellsboro is a good home base for weekend retreats with several bed and breakfasts and hotels. Make sure to stop by the vintage Wellsboro Diner for homemade pie and hearty breakfasts.

Clarion, a charming college town hosts an annual homage to fall foliage with the Autumn Leaf Festival. The nine-day-long festival features a number of street-fair type events, including a homecoming football game, 10K run and concerts. Looking for a place to view that fall foliage? The nearby Cook Forest State Park features 8,000 acres of woods, including some of the last stands of old growth forest in the state.

Youker is a freelance writer in Reading, Pa. He can be reached via travel@plaind.com

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